Monday, January 29, 2007

Catholic novels

Here is a list of recommended Catholic novels, just off the top of my head. It is by no means complete, so suggestions are welcome. If people are looking for stories that are entertaining but which have spirituality, then this is a start. Most of the authors here were/are Catholic; I could easily do several lists of classic novels by non-Catholic authors which have deeply Christian themes, beginning with Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.

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11 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about Fabiola by Cardinal Wiseman?

elena maria vidal said...

OK, I just added it! Thanks, melanie!!

Anonymous said...

What about Malachy Martin's Windsept House?

Anonymous said...

the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy by Sigrid Undset [a masterpiece]

In this House of Brede - Rumer Godden. [beautiful and elegant]

A Canticle for Leibowitz - Walter M. Miller. [brilliant sci-fi]

Mitre and Crook - Fr. Bryan Houghton [wit and wisdom and a great style]

Judith's Marriage - Fr. Bryan Houghton. [the drama and sacrifice of Catholic marriage - touching]

The Diary of a Country Priest - George Bernanos [work of genius]

Helena - Evelyn Waugh

... I would disagree with the Malachi Martin's book. Not great, not even honest, IMO.

elena maria vidal said...

Thanks! I don't know how I forgot Sigrid Undset and Rumer Godden. I think Rumer Godden also wrote "Black Narcissus." Thank you very much for all of those suggestions; I will certainly add them to the list!

elena maria vidal said...

Thanks, Georgette, I should have checked out the Wikipedia list. I have no idea how Catholic Hemingway and Fitzgerald were although they both deal with themes of sin, redemption, and dark nights of the soul. OK, I will add some more tiltles to the list!

elena maria vidal said...

Yes, I have heard of the Redwall series, only good things.

I have been studying the Wikipedia list you sent me. It is fascinating. I had NO idea that Antonia Fraser was ever Catholic. I guess I should have guessed from her Mary Queen of Scots bio.

Thanks, Georgette. BTW, I am adding Tim Powers to the list.

elena maria vidal said...

I had to stop because I went over my quota. I will have to make another list of just English and American Catholic novelists.

Unknown said...

My new novel, IN-SIGHT, is a modern prodigal son story told through a Catholic world lens. To read more about it, visit my website http://outskirtspress.com/insight or use the advanced search on amazon.com for IN-SIGHT by Gerard Webster.

elena maria vidal said...

Thanks, Gerard, it looks fabulous. I'd love to review it if you can send me a copy.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Elena,
I'll be glad to mail you a copy, but I need a mailing address first.
Gerard Webster
author of IN-SIGHT, a novel